2019 Budget Ball: Just the Facts

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget’s annual Budget Ball brought in a record number of guests in 2019, from dozens of U.S. senators and representatives to the heads of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to academics and a former Federal Reserve Chair.

The day kicked off with an intimate roundtable of economic minds from across the spectrum engaging in a lively discussion about the trade war and America’s fiscal state. The evening continued on the rooftop of the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel, where hundreds of guests mingled with scores of current and former officials.

At the seated dinner, former Microsoft CEO and Founder of USAFacts Steve Ballmer gave a lively talk. His groundbreaking work is finding its way to policymakers and the American people in visually pleasing and understandable ways. His innovative approach showcases government data like never before. (For more information on USAFacts and to check out these visualizations, visit their website here.)

If you missed the fun in 2019, don’t worry! Planning for our 2020 Budget Ball is already underway. Sign up to receive our work here and please donate here. Your support is more important than ever as our nation enters a fiscal landscape of daunting proportions.

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Here are a few pictures and highlights from our great evening:

CBO Director Phill Swagel gives remarks at the rooftop reception.
 
Natasha Noman, Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS), Committee board member Janet Yellen, and Committee president Maya MacGuineas (left to right) pose for a photo during the reception.
 
Former Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) chat at the rooftop reception.
 
Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta pays tribute to the life of economist Alice Rivlin, founding Director of CBO and former Director of OMB, who passed away in May. She was also a Committee board member.
 
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gives a talk during the dinner about the U.S. budget deficit while highlighting his newest endeavor, USAFacts.
 
Steve Ballmer poses with Maya MacGuineas after the dinner.
 

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